A magnificent international career - Lineker and Owen lead Rooney tributes

After Wayne Rooney confirmed his retirement from international football with immediate effect, Gary Lineker led the tributes.

Wayne Rooney is the all-time leading goal-scorer for England with 53 goals in 119 appearances.

Former England strikers Gary Lineker and Michael Owen led the tributes after Wayne Rooney confirmed his retirement from international football.

Rooney had been given the chance to return to Gareth Southgate's squad for the first time since November 2016, but instead opted to walk away ahead of next year's World Cup in Russia.

The Everton forward, a former captain of his country, retires as England's all-time leading goalscorer after hitting 53 goals in his 119 appearances for the Three Lions.

Here, we round up the best of the reaction to Rooney's decision.

Brilliant timing. Always great to go out on top. Well done @WayneRooney an International career to be proud of.

— michael owen (@themichaelowen) August 23, 2017

England's highest ever goalscorer calls it a day. Congratulations to @WayneRooney on a magnificent international career. A player's player.

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) August 23, 2017

A fantastic @England player who always gave his all. @WayneRooney helped me loads when I got into the squad. An @England legend. #Rooneypic.twitter.com/AR30GIq9lw

— Chris Smalling (@ChrisSmalling) August 23, 2017

@WayneRooney - an amazing player and goalscorer for @England. A three lions legend. pic.twitter.com/qrYlYbyTCu

— Harry Kane (@HKane) August 23, 2017

What a career Wayne Rooney a fantastic servant for England. Only one dive that annoyed me against Man Utd 49th game

— Sol Campbell (@SolManOfficial) August 23, 2017

England legend! Pleasure to play alongside you @waynerooneypic.twitter.com/6ymrMCCsJ7

— Jack Wilshere (@JackWilshere) August 23, 2017

Record goalscorer, captain and leader. Congratulations on a fantastic @england career @WayneRooney.

— Alan Shearer (@alanshearer) August 23, 2017

Congratulations on an incredible @England career!https://t.co/hpBwoPwvrepic.twitter.com/7FuSSEOnWT

— Everton (@Everton) August 23, 2017

 

Well done on a record-breaking @England career, @WayneRooney! https://t.co/H07zmCIdJm

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 23, 2017

Congratulations to @waynerooney for a fantastic @england career . Incredible player who deserves all the accolades that come his way . It was a pleasure to share a dressing room and pitch with you for many years . World class

A post shared by Steven Gerrard (@stevengerrard) on Aug 23, 2017 at 9:28am PDT

@England's all-time leading scorer @waynerooney has retired from international football after turning down the chance to be part of the England squad for next month's #WorldCup qualifiers. The @everton striker scored 53 times in 119 games. #Rooney #England #Wazza #ThreeLions #legend

A post shared by FIFA (@fifaworldcup) on Aug 23, 2017 at 5:28am PDT